Remember when you were little and having a best friend meant everything? Your best friend was the one you giggled with, played pretend with, got mad at over something small and then made up two days later. They understood you and were there for you no matter what. Sometimes as we age we forget how important having close friends can be. People who understand your experience, are able to offer advice, or just be there listen to you.

As parents, we can often feel isolated from others and we can lose the social connections we once had. This can happen naturally through lack of sleep, children’s nap schedules, caring for your child, chores, and for many balancing work. Not only can having strong social connections help you feel less isolated and more supported but the science shows us that it leads to healthier and happy families.

The data shows that having strong social connections as a parent increases family stability, enhances child development, and reduces child abuse and neglect. According to the Center for the Study of Social Policy parents who have strong social connections have a reduced likelihood of child abuse and neglect. Social connections help you feel respected and appreciated which reduces the isolation often experienced as a parent.

At IVYP we use the evidence-based 5 Protective Factors Framework to strengthen the community one family at a time:

1. Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development 2. Social Emotional Competence of Children 3. Social Connections and Relationships 4. Concrete support in times of need 5. Parental Resilience.

One of the key aspects of the social connections protective factor is accepting and offering help to others. For me this is challenging. I often feel vulnerable or ashamed to ask for help especially if what I need help with is something at which I am striving to excel. But pushing beyond this is important to building trusting relationships with parental peers. After I finally ask for help or advice I often end up feeling silly that I hadn’t reached out earlier, because I get just the answer I was looking for. Utilizing the wisdom of those around me helps me try new things as a parent and as a spouse.

Building strong social connections and relationships is one piece of the puzzle and when these principles and practices are working together, we see healthier, happier, and more connected families.

Some every day suggestions on how to build more social connections are:

Joining online parenting forums

Striking up a conversation with another parent the park

Talking to family members with children – cousins, siblings, in-laws etc.

Joining the parent council/PTA at your child’s school

Join a parenting group like MOPS or PEP

Some of the key activities offered by IVYP that support social connections are:

Parenting classes

Community forums

Harvest Festival

Health Fair

Children’s Center Parent Council

Online resources

Parent cafes

To learn more please visit our website ivyp.org

Written by Elizabeth Hahn​Mom of two and Director of Development for IVYP